DCN responds to new national planning policy framework

Responding to the new National Planning Policy Framework, announced today by Theresa May, DCN Chairman Cllr John Fuller said:

“If the Government expects districts to manage local housing markets and deliver the homes people deserve, then they must ensure that the promises made over the weekend, which go some way in delivering a better balance in the negotiating strength between councils and developers, are implemented. In particular, developers must be held to account for keeping the promises that they freely enter into when asking for permissions.

“But there is more to be done. District councils must also have greater financials freedoms in relation to delivering mores homes. This includes increasing the time available to spend and allow councils to retain 100 per cent of Right to Buy receipts; and lifting the borrowing cap for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), greater support for necessary infrastructure to support additional homes and the sale of high value assets.

“In addition, district councils with the greatest housing growth potential often do not have HRAs, so they need fiscal levers and financial freedoms to invest outside the general fund.

“We will now study the detail of the draft revised National Planning Policy Framework carefully to ensure that districts councils continue to have the freedoms to deliver more homes whilst not being penalised for delays which are not under their control.”